Admissions
Our admissions process is a best-fit selective process. Our goal is to ensure a diverse, gender-balanced, multi-age school community dedicated to Montessori education. To be considered for enrollment, parents must complete an application and schedule a classroom observation and interview with the Head of School. The criteria by which students are considered for enrollment is based on the following:
- Potential student displays a pleasant demeanor and is able to communicate; can answer questions about their family, interests and hobbies.
- Parents/Legal Guardians of potential student convey a basic understanding of the concept of Montessori and share a philosophical match as to its ideals.
- Potential elementary student has Montessori preschool/kindergarten background. (Not required, but preferred.)
Our Children’s House program offers an authentic early childhood Montessori learning environment for children ages 2 1/2 – 6.
Our Elementary classroom is a community of children ages 6 – 12, grades 1st – 6th. Children are eligible for enrollment if they are age 6 by September 1.
Re-enrollment for current families is automatic with payment of the enrollment deposit on or before April 15 for guaranteed placement. Current families may submit applications for siblings at anytime; siblings receive priority placement.
Applications for new students are accepted year round. Enrollment interviews for new families begin March 1 for the upcoming school year. If space is available, enrollment is ongoing throughout the school year. Because our program is individually paced, we can provide a smooth transition for your child at any level.
Upon acceptance, a non-refundable enrollment deposit is due: Children’s House $675, Elementary $675, to reserve placement in the fall cohort.
Tuition Schedule 2024-25 Upcoming School Year
Financial Commitment Policy
Enrollment at Spruce Tree requires that parents and/or legal guardians assume financial responsibility for student tuition and fees as outlined in this Financial Commitment Policy. Enrollment deposits are due April 15 or upon acceptance for the upcoming fall school year and are non-refundable. Enrollment deposits do not replace any one month’s tuition and are not applied toward future month’s tuition; the amount is a portion of your annual commitment, due prior to your child’s start date. If a family decides to forego placement and defer enrollment for longer than the allowable deferral time frame, the student will be placed in the Wait Pool. Enrollment deposits are eligible to roll for the current school year, but can not be applied as payment for the enrollment deposit for the following school year.
The default payment schedule is monthly (payments are due on the 1st of each month August – June), according to the current Tuition Schedule. The Spruce Tree Montessori school year is defined as the first Tuesday in August – June 30. A late fee of $25.00 is assessed for payments received more than five days after the first. Tuition payments may not go unpaid for more than 20 days, for a maximum late fee of $100.00. STMS reserves the right to initiate termination of enrollment per the Enrollment Termination Policy if families are unable to pay tuition according to the Financial Commitment Policy.
School holidays, professional development in-service days, closures for inclement weather, absences for inclement weather choice, family vacations, student sick days, and mandated school closures for declared state and/or national emergencies, including during a pandemic, and school closures due to damage related to natural disasters are not refunded, pro-rated and/or discounted.
Non-Discriminatory Policy
Spruce Tree Montessori School affords all rights, privileges, programs and activities to its students without regard to race, color or ethnicity, sex, religion, disability or background. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color or ethnicity, sex religion, disability or background in administration of its admissions and enrollment policies, educational practices, scholarships or other programs.
Learn more about Spruce Tree Montessori School in this video interview of our Head of School by host of “Discover Fairbanks” host and alumni parent, Justin Hemminger.